Apparatus for automatic delivering of paste food products, particularly ice cream and/or yoghourt

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatic delivering of paste food products, particularly ice cream and/or yoghurt, comprising a housing ( 4 ), within which a plurality of containers ( 3 ) of said paste food products are provided, each one of said containers providing means ( 11, 21, 22, 23 ) for distributing said paste food products, and refrigeration means ( 9 ) for said plurality of containers, and apparatus programming means, said apparatus being characterized in that said housing provides a rotating base ( 6 ), having at least one seat ( 7 ) supporting a tray ( 8 ) for receiving said paste food products from said plurality of containers ( 3 ), said rotating base ( 6 ) moving in such a way to place said tray ( 8 ) under one of said containers ( 3 ) according to the sequence programmed by said programming means, said distribution means ( 11, 21, 22, 23 ) delivering said paste food products within said tray ( 8 ) when it is in correspondence of the specific paste food product container ( 3 ).

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatic deliveringof paste food products, particularly ice cream and/or yoghurt.

More specifically, the invention relates to a machine for automaticdelivery of food products, allowing to maintain a high hygiene standardand product preservation level.

In the following the specification will be specifically directed to theautomatic delivering of ice cream, but it is well evident that the useof the same must not be considered as limited to these specific product.

At present, ice cream or yoghurt is kept at a uniform temperature withinrefrigerator banks, allowing their display to the consumers. They areserved and packaged by specialised personnel, preparing the ice creamcone after the choice of the tastes by the consumer. As it is wellknown, maintenance personnel is very expensive and therefore it would beideal to be have means allowing to the consumer to choose the preferredice cream without the help of personnel. This is presently possiblethanks to industrially manufactured and pre-packaged ice creams, so thatthe consumer can accede to the refrigerator by himself, choosing thepreferred product. However, in this way it is not possible tocommercialise an artisan product.

At present suitable apparatuses exist allowing conservation of differentice cream tastes, and to automatically deliver the product, by thechoice of the consumer. Particularly, these machines are comprised of aseries of containers, wherein the ice cream tastes are contained, oneach one of which compression means act, conveying the ice cream towarda single exit. The problem of this apparatus is that between thedelivering of two different tastes some of the previous gusto remains onthe exit nozzle, thus contaminating the following gusto.

A device solving this problem is described in the Italian Patent No IT1,308,198. This solution provides a plurality of vertical cylindricalcontainers, within which ice cream or yoghurt tastes are provided.Compression means are coupled with said containers, allowing themechanical compression of the product, from the bottom upward, and by apipe bring the product directly on the cone to be stuffed.

However, also this apparatus has some drawbacks. As it is well known tothose skilled in the art, paste mass of the ice cream, if is not kept ata low temperature, tends first to crystallize and then to ice. Thus, onthe pipes connected with the cylindrical containers, ice cream residualtends first to crystallize, since the residual is far from therefrigeration source, thus inducing a decay of the quality of theproduct that is then delivered. Then, this ice cream residual ices, thusclogging the same pipe.

In view of the above, it is well evident the needing of having anapparatus for automatic delivering of paste food products, allowing anoptimum conservation of the product at an even temperature up to thedelivering, such as the apparatus according to the present invention.

Therefore, it is object of the present invention that of allowing theoptimum conservation and the automatic delivering of the ice cream,allowing conservation of its properties and without the product oxidizedue to its exposition to outer environment.

It is therefore specific object of the present invention an apparatusfor automatic delivering of paste food products, particularly ice creamand/or yoghurt, comprising a housing, within which a plurality ofcontainers of said paste food products are provided, each one of saidcontainers providing means for distributing said paste food products,and refrigeration means for said plurality of containers, and apparatusprogramming means, said apparatus being characterised in that saidhousing provides a rotating base, having at least one seat supporting atray for receiving said paste food products from said plurality ofcontainers, said rotating base moving in such a way to place said trayunder one of said containers according to the sequence programmed bysaid programming means, said distribution means delivering said pastefood products within said tray when it is in correspondence of thespecific paste food product container.

Preferably, according to the invention, said paste food productcontainers can be comprised of cylinders and they can be provided in asubstantially vertical position.

Still according to the invention, said refrigeration means can comprisea refrigerator motor and a refrigeration coil provided inside the wallof said housing.

Further, according to the invention, said housing can provide ainsulating part, comprising an interspace, that can include saidrefrigeration coil.

Preferably, according to the invention, said containers of said pastefood products can be provided along the proximity of the edge of saidcontainer.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said apparatus can provide atleast a reserve container, provided inside said housing.

Still according to the invention, said apparatus can provide at least areceiving tray distributor receiving the paste substance to be placed inat least one seat.

Still according to the invention, said apparatus can comprise at leastone distributor of not cool solid products (such as cocoa, chocolategranules, pine-seeds, etc.).

Preferably, according to the invention, said seat for said tray issubstantially realised in correspondence of the outer edge of saidrotating base.

Always according to the invention, said tray can be a cone or a cup.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said tray is placed incorrespondence of the paste product container in a positionsubstantially decentred with respect to the outlet of the containersince it is moved by pneumatic mechanical means.

Still according to the invention, said paste food products deliveringmeans, such as ice cream and/or yoghurt, comprise a piston, a bodycontaining said paste food products and means for delivering said pastefood products, said delivering means comprising a delivery mouth, saidpiston compressing the mass of said paste food products toward saiddelivery means, and said delivery means automatically opening saiddelivery mouth of said paste food products and automatically closingsaid mouth after the end of the compression of said piston on said pastefood products.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said piston can comprise anupper wall, a lower wall and a bellow provided between said upper walland said lower wall, said lower wall pushing said paste food productsdownward, and said piston can comprise a tube for flow of compressed airwithin said bellow, preferably through said upper wall.

Always according to the invention, said housing can have a cylindricalshape comprised of insulating material.

According to the invention, said tube for flow of compressed air withinsaid bellow passes through said housing.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said delivery means cancomprise a substantially conical shaped nut and a portion deliveringelement, comprising said mouth, coupled at the lower base of said nut.

Still according to the invention, said mouth can provide a plurality oftabs, said tabs remaining open during the delivery of said paste foodproduct, and retracting after the end of the pressure of said paste foodproducts, thus closing said mouth.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention,said mouth is comprised of plastic material with memory effect.

Preferably, according to the invention, said paste food product deliverymeans can comprise an envelope for packaging said paste food products,such as a film, preferably a polypropylene or polyethylene film.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but notlimitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, withparticular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective front top view of the apparatus for theautomatic delivering of paste food products according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a first perspective view, partially in section, of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a second perspective view, partially in section, of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a lateral view of a compression piston;

FIG. 6 shows the upper part of the compression piston of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the lower part of the compression piston of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a section lateral view of the assembly of the deliverymeans for the ice cream;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the assembly of the delivery meansfor the ice cream;

FIG. 10 shows the section lateral view of the delivery means for the icecream;

FIGS. 11 a, 11 b and 11 c respectively show a top perspective view, atop view and a lateral perspective view of a portion delivering element;and

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the assembling of the various parts of theapparatus according to the invention.

To better understand the present invention, in the following it will bedescribed the operation mode of the preferred embodiment, the sameoperation mode being valid for the other embodiments.

Making now reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is possible to note thevarious parts of the apparatus 1 for the automatic distribution of foodproducts. It can be clearly noted the upper panel 2 for covering thecontainers 3. The latters are contained within an insulating wall 4,comprised of two parts 4′ and 4″. At the bottom of the above insulatingwall 4, a panel 5, insulating as well, is present.

A base 6 is present under the panel 5, on the edge of which a seat 7 isprovided, on which the cone 8 is placed, said cone being stuffed withice cream or yoghurt. Said base 6 can rotate with respect to itsperpendicular axis, passing through its own centre. Particularly, bythis rotation, it is possible to bring the cone in correspondence of theoutlet of the containers 3 corresponding to the perimeter of the base.Inner containers 3 are used to preserve the reserve ice cream.

Furthermore, cone 8 in the seat 7 can rotate with respect to its ownaxis, in such a way that the ice cream, ejected by the cylinders, can beplaced in the edges of the same cone 8, in such a way to promote anordered positioning of the tastes.

Within the insulating wall 4 the refrigerating coil 9 is present. Saidcoil absorb the heat, while within the wall 4, said containers 3 areimmerged within glycol.

Further, in FIG. 2 also a panel 10 is present, said panel being part ofthe outer frame of the apparatus, in which tubes for feeding compressedair can pass, said compressed air being supplied by a pump, not shown inthe figures, within the pistons.

Coming now to describe FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it is possible to note thepiston for ejection of ice cream outside the containers 3, from top tothe bottom. More particularly, piston 11 is comprised of an upper part12 and of a lower part 13, between which a bellow 14 is provided, thatcan be filled in with air. Compressed air enters within the piston toexpand the bellow, through the tube 15. While compressed air isintroduced within the bellow 14 by the tube 15, the lower part 13separates from the upper part 12, thus compressing the ice cream mass,provided under the lower part 13. Finally, circular housings areprovided on the lower part 13, allowing the provision of O-rings.

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, operation of piston 11 is shown, to compress theice cream mass and the means to which it is applied.

More specifically, ice cream mass 16, which is beforehand introducedwithin an hygienic film 17, it is provided within housing 18, surroundedby insulating walls 19 between the ice cream mass 16 and the insulatingwall 19, glycol is provided within the interspace 20. Ice cream mass 16is introduced within a device, comprised of a cone 21 and a portiondelivering element 22, provided with an outlet mouth 23, through whichthe ice cream exits.

FIGS. 11 a, 11 b and 11 c show in detail the portion delivering element22, providing the outlet mouth 23, comprised of a plurality of fins 24,preferably made up of memory effect plastic material. These fins 24, dueto the pressure of the ice cream mass 18 by the pushing action of thepiston 11, expand outward, letting the ice cream pass. When the pressurethrust by the ice cream mass is terminated, fins 24 automaticallyretract, thanks to the property of the plastic materials to take againtheir original shape, thus closing the outlet. Thus, on the edges of theoutlet of the portion delivering element 22 no residual of ice cream orother product remains.

Finally, FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the assembling of the various partsdescribed with respect to the support structure 25 of the whole machine1. Particularly, it is possible to observe the positioning of the upperpanel 2 with respect to the containers 3 and to the cone or cups 26distributor. An alphanumeric keyboard is provided in the upper part, tochoose the ice cream tastes. In the lower part of the apparatus 1, theelectric console 28, providing the feeding and programming devices, andthe refrigerating group 29 are provided. In FIG. 14 it is shown theouter coating providing an opening 31 to take the product.

On the basis of the previous specification, it can be noted that thebasic feature of the apparatus for automatic delivering of paste foodproducts concerns the possibility of delivering in a very simple andquick way and at the same time maintaining a high quality hygienestandard, also because it is not contaminated from outside.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but notlimitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it isto be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced bythose skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope asdefined in the enclosed claims.

1. Apparatus for automatic delivering of paste food products,particularly ice cream and/or yoghurt, comprising a housing, withinwhich a plurality of containers of said paste food products areprovided, each one of said containers providing means for distributingsaid paste food products, and refrigeration means for said plurality ofcontainers, and apparatus programming means, said apparatus beingcharacterised in that said housing provides a rotating base, having atleast one seat supporting a tray for receiving said paste food productsfrom said plurality of containers, said rotating base moving in such away to place said tray under one of said containers according to thesequence programmed by said programming means, said distribution meansdelivering said paste food products within said tray when it is incorrespondence of the specific paste food product container wherein saidrefrigeration means comprise a refrigerator motor, a refrigeration coilprovided inside the wall of said housing, and glycol provided insidesaid housing, in such a way to occupy the space between said pastematerial containers.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised inthat said housing provides an insulating part, comprising an interspace,that can include said refrigeration coil.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 1, characterised in that said containers of said paste foodproducts are provided along the proximity of the edge of said container.4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that it provides atleast a reserve container, provided inside said housing.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterised in that it provides at least areceiving tray distributor receiving the paste substance to be placed inat least one seat.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised inthat said seat for said tray is substantially realised in correspondenceof the outer edge of said rotating base.
 7. Apparatus according to claim1, characterised in that said tray is comprised of a con or of a cup. 8.Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that said tray isplaced in correspondence of the paste product container in a positionsubstantially decentred with respect to the outlet of the containersince it is moved by pneumatic mechanical means.
 9. Apparatus accordingto one of the preceding claim 1, characterised in that said paste foodproducts delivering means, such as ice cream and/or yoghurt, comprise apiston, a body containing said paste food products and means fordelivering said paste food products, said delivering means comprising adelivery mouth, said piston compressing the mass of said paste foodproducts toward said delivery means, and said delivery meansautomatically opening said delivery mouth of said paste food productsand automatically closing said mouth after the end of the compression ofsaid piston on said paste food products.
 10. Apparatus according toclaim 9, characterised in that said piston comprises an upper wall, alower wall and a bellow provided between said upper wall and said lowerwall, said lower wall pushing said paste food products downward, andsaid piston can comprise a tube for flow of compressed air within saidbellow, preferably through said upper wall.
 11. Apparatus according toclaim 9, characterised in that said housing has a cylindrical shapecomprised of insulating material.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 9,characterised in that said tube for flow of compressed air within saidbellow passes through said housing.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 9,characterised in that said delivery means comprise a substantiallyconical shaped nut and a portion delivering element, comprising saidmouth, coupled at the lower base of said nut.
 14. Apparatus according toclaim 9, characterised in that said mouth provides a plurality of tabs,said tabs remaining open during the delivery of said paste food product,and retracting after the end of the pressure of said paste foodproducts, thus closing said mouth.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 9,characterised in that said mouth is comprised of plastic material withmemory effect.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in thatsaid paste food product delivery means comprise an envelope forpackaging said paste food products, such as a film, preferably apolypropylene or polyethylene film.